This interview features Jihoon, the Chief Sales Officer who oversees global business operations of brands acquired by Boosters. In the early stages of the business, he played a crucial role in setting up the organization and acquiring brands, laying the foundation for Boosters' success. Currently, he is focused on establishing operational bases in various markets and refining sales strategies to ensure that Boosters' brands shine on the global stage. Through this interview, you can learn more about the markets Boosters is currently focusing on, its future plans, and the goals Jihoon aims to achieve at Boosters!
Q. Could you introduce yourself, Jihoon?
Hello, I'm Jihoon Ko. I started at Boosters by working in business development and brand acquisitions, and I’m currently in charge of global business operations. In the early stages of the company, I was involved in setting up the organizational structure and various projects related to establishing our corporate foundation. Afterward, I focused on identifying and acquiring attractive brands that Boosters could grow. Now, my main focus is on the global expansion of the acquired brands.
Q. Could you please explain in detail about the global business operations you are currently handling?
The primary focus of my current work is the global expansion of the acquired brands. Since acquiring our first brand in 2022, we concentrated on rapid and solid growth within the domestic market and organizational development until the end of 2023. During this time, our acquired brands have achieved remarkable growth in the domestic market, and many talented individuals have joined our organization, laying a strong foundation for global expansion. Although we acquire brands with a proven product-market fit, many of these brands have been limited to the domestic market without opportunities for international expansion. While the products have strong potential for global success, the necessary resources for this were previously lacking. Our team is now focused on building the global operational infrastructure and refining market-specific sales strategies to introduce these brands to various markets worldwide.
Q. Recently, many domestic brands have expanded internationally through Amazon. What is the secret behind your remarkable growth in such a competitive environment?
I believe the credit goes entirely to our team members. Since 2024 marked our first year of full-scale global operations, we all lacked operational knowledge and faced a continuous stream of new challenges. Despite the confusion and the constant need to make adjustments, our team members remained flexible and dedicated, which made this growth possible. While our achievements are still modest, I believe that both our global business and our team will continue to grow, with today being the point from which we have the most room to improve.
Q. Could you tell us about the markets you are currently focusing on and the ones you plan to expand into?
At present, we are concentrating on markets where we can directly control and influence outcomes with our internal capabilities. In the short term, these include the United States and certain Southeast Asian countries. While we plan to expand into specific countries through partnerships with excellent overseas vendors, our primary focus is on managing operations ourselves to gain firsthand experience and learn from it. Based on the brand awareness we establish in these markets and the capabilities we internalize, we plan to gradually expand our target markets.
Q. Are all acquired brands being expanded internationally?
Our ultimate goal is to expand most of the acquired brands internationally. However, considering our current limited operational resources, we are prioritizing 2-3 brands that are best suited for overseas sales. When selecting these global target brands, we considered not only the potential sales synergy in key markets but also complex factors such as international logistics and certification requirements. We plan to leverage the operational knowledge and pipelines developed through these brands to accelerate the pace of international expansion for other brands in the future.
Q. Could you share a moment that stands out in your memory?
One of the most memorable moments was when our key sales hypothesis for global operations was validated. While this didn't immediately lead to massive revenue or instant success, it was a turning point that gave us the confidence that we could succeed on a global scale.
Q. What is the most important value for you when working?
It's sincerity. I believe that most people, including the Boosters crew, are more talented than I am. With that in mind, I think the best thing I can do in my position is to approach every task with sincerity. By doing so, I gradually fill in my shortcomings. I was also impressed by a successful entrepreneur who once said that the most important virtues are "luck" and "perseverance." If I have a goal, I throw myself into situations where luck might find me, and I persevere, taking one step at a time, until that luck comes. This mindset gives me the strength to take another step forward, even when things feel overwhelming or discouraging.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of Boosters’ culture?
I appreciate that we are open to using various SaaS tools to improve work efficiency and that we actually get to experience them. We are always thinking about how we can work smarter. By implementing and utilizing effective SaaS tools that can reduce unnecessary processes or tasks, we continuously improve even the smallest details. This willingness to make improvements, starting with the small things, and being open to change are unique aspects of Boosters’ culture that I really enjoy.
Q. Recently, many new members have joined the global team. What kind of skills or qualities do you hope they bring?
I would say humility. Running a global business, we've realized how much we don't know, and that we need to carefully verify every piece of information, even those from external sources. Therefore, I hope that new members come with a willingness to learn continuously, without clinging to the knowledge they already have.
Q. What is your ultimate goal at Boosters?
My goal is for Boosters to become a company where being a member, or even a former member, serves as a badge of honor. Along the way, I hope we can build a synergistic energy among the members and achieve great things together with a sense of joy. On a personal note, I also hope that Boosters can contribute to helping our members not just have a "good job" but lead a "good life.”